Why T.O. Deserves A Philly Time Out

With the oversaturation of poker on television, you would think the Terrell Owens’ brain trust would have learned a thing or two. They could have just listened to Kenny Rogers, who would have told T.O. when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em. (Yes, a cheesy reference, we admit. But when you’re dealing with issues and individuals like this, it’s hard to legitimize the action with strictly serious commentary.)

In an ill-conceived plan concocted by Owens and his agent Drew Rosenhaus, the two attempted to strong-arm the Eagles into signing the wide receiver to a bigger deal during the off-season. Nothing wrong with that. It’s the name of the game - get as much as you can. What they failed to do, however, was a develop a strategy that would actually work.

As was stated in this space back in September, if Owens and Rosenhaus would have waited out the season and taken the Eagles back to the Super Bowl, which would have been likely, he could have named his price. But in continuously bad mouthing the team, he destroyed any leverage he had.

If you bluff, you must be prepared to have your bluff called. - Julius Benedict, “Twins.”

Yes, another admitted cheesy reference.

To overuse a cliche, Owens thought he held all the cards. As dumb as it sounds, Owens believed his value to the club was so great that he could get away with any behavior. That somehow by bad mouthing his coach, quarterback and the organization, he would at least win the battle of public opinion and thereby force the team to renegotiate his deal.

Terrell had a good hand. His three of a kind is hard to beat: talent, work ethic and representation. It was the Eagles, though, that held all the aces. You don’t need a name like Moneymaker or cheap-looking reptilian-eyed sunglasses to know who’s has the better hand.

In the NFL, the teams have the power and Philly was not afraid to use it. The Eagles suspended Owens for four games and told him not to come back for the remainder of the season.

T.O.‘s locker has already been reassigned. Even if the Players Association is successful in getting Owens released from his contract, it is unlikely he will play again this season. Signing Owens will take a lot of thought, and it’s not something many would attempt at this time.

The biggest mystery in this whole affair is the action, or better yet, the inaction of Rosenhaus. It’s hard to believe that for all his experience and intelligence, Rosenhaus would have advised his client to act as he did. This has been a total disaster. It makes one believe that the agent was more of a spectator in this bad drama then he was the director.

Yes, Rosenhaus has staunchly defended his client - most recently in a driveway press conference during which he showed his bravado and temper while blaming everyone except those behind the microphone. What else was he going to do, tell the world that T.O. refused to keep his mouth shut and follow orders?

If Owens was just doing what he was told, Rosenhaus should be fired. But then again, if Terrell believed he was getting sound advice, he got what he deserved.